Lewis Wilson was the first actor to play the DC Comics character of Batman in live action. Columbia Pictures released the 1... Show More »

Lewis Wilson was the first actor to play the DC Comics character of Batman in live action. Columbia Pictures released the 15-chapter serial titled "Batman" in 1943. Douglas Croft played Robin. « Less

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Lewis Wilson

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Batmobile from 1943:

A 1939 Cadillac was both Batmobile and Bruce Wayne's car in the television serial version of 'Batman' in 1943.

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Robert Lowery: 1949:

In 1949, Columbia Pictures released another 15-chapter serial titled "Batman and Robin." Robert Lowery played Batman; Robin... Show More »

In 1949, Columbia Pictures released another 15-chapter serial titled "Batman and Robin." Robert Lowery played Batman; Robin was played by Johnny Duncan. « Less

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Robert Lowery

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Batmobile from 1949:

The Batmobile used for the 1949 television serial was a factory-stock maroon 1949 Mercury Convertible.

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Adam West: 1966 to 1968:

Adam West played Batman on the television series "Batman" from 1966 to 1968 with Burt Ward as his sidekick Robin.

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Adam West

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Batmobile From 1966:

Ford Motor Company's Futura was the basis the Batmobile used in the television series. It had many bat features already... Show More »

Ford Motor Company's Futura was the basis the Batmobile used in the television series. It had many bat features already built in, such as the long fins and bubble canopies. trim to accentuate the various lines of he car. Features included a chain slicer, lasers, rockets, a telephone, radar, a computer and a police beacon. The car could also do a quick 180-degree turn and had two rear-mounted parachutes. « Less

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Michael Keaton: 1989 and 1992:

Michael Keaton starred in 'Batman' in 1989 and "Batman Returns" in 1992. Jack Nicholson was the Joker i... Show More »

Michael Keaton starred in 'Batman' in 1989 and "Batman Returns" in 1992. Jack Nicholson was the Joker in "Batman," and Danny DeVito was the Penguin in "Batman Returns." « Less

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Michael Keaton

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Batmobile from 1989:

Two Impala chassis were splice together to build the 1989 Batmobile, and the car was powered by a Chevy V8. According to bat... Show More »

Two Impala chassis were splice together to build the 1989 Batmobile, and the car was powered by a Chevy V8. According to batmobilehistory.com, gadgets included "spherical bombs, a pair of forward-facing Browning machine guns, side-mounted disc launchers, and chassis-mounted shinbreakers. For quick maneuvers, the Batmobile had side-mounted grappling hook launchers and a central 'foot' capable of lifting the car and rotating it 180" degrees. « Less

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Val Kilmer: 1995:

Val Kilmer donned the dark suit in "Batman Forever" in 1995. Chris O'Donnell was Robin. Jim Carrey played the Riddler.

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Val Kilmer

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The Batmobile of 1995:

In 'Batman Forever,' the third Warner Bros. Batman movie, the Batmobile could launch grappling cables at overhe... Show More »

In 'Batman Forever,' the third Warner Bros. Batman movie, the Batmobile could launch grappling cables at overhead anchors that allowed it to travel vertical surfaces. It was destroyed partway through the movie when the Riddler blew it up by throwing explosives in the cockpit. « Less

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George Clooney: 1997:

There they are, those infamous nipples in the costume created for George Clooney in "Batman and Robin." Chris O'Donne... Show More »

There they are, those infamous nipples in the costume created for George Clooney in "Batman and Robin." Chris O'Donnell was Robin again, and Arnold Schwarzenegger played Mr. Freeze. « Less

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George Clooney

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Batmobile from 1997

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Bruce Thomas: 2002:

Bruce Thomas played Batman in two episodes of the the short-lived television series "Birds of Prey" in 2002.

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Bruce Thomas

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Christian Bale: 2005:

The most recent onscreen Batman, Christian Bale, gets his start in 2005 in "Batman Begins."

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Batmobile from 2005:

The Batmobile is more a BatTank in "Batman Begins." This totally new vehicle was 9 feet wide and 15 feet long and weighed ... Show More »

The Batmobile is more a BatTank in "Batman Begins." This totally new vehicle was 9 feet wide and 15 feet long and weighed 2.5 tons but was still capable of 0 to 60 mph in under six seconds and had a top speed of 110 mph. « Less

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Christian Bale: 2008:

In 2008, Bale returns in "The Dark Knight."

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Christian Bale: 2012 :

"The Dark Knight Rises," with Bale returning a third time as Batman, opens in theaters July 20. One more Watch the traile... Show More »

"The Dark Knight Rises," with Bale returning a third time as Batman, opens in theaters July 20. One more Watch the trailer in the next slide. « Less

Batman actors through the years

Ben Affleck will don the dark suit opposite Henry Cavill in the "Man of Steel"
sequel, due July 17, 2015. And since the first live-action Batman, Lewis Wilson
in 1943, to "The Dark Knight Rises," audiences have thrived on watching the
charact...
Show More »

Ben Affleck will don the dark suit opposite Henry Cavill in the "Man of Steel"
sequel, due July 17, 2015. And since the first live-action Batman, Lewis Wilson
in 1943, to "The Dark Knight Rises," audiences have thrived on watching the
character (and his cars and costumes) evolve. No doubt you have your favorite,
but alas, poor George Clooney will never live down those nipples.
(Sources: imdb.com; wanttoknowit.com; www.batmobilehistory.com
)
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